FF9 Remake Rumors Surge with 25th Anniversary Project Listings

Final Fantasy 9 Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary This Year

A New Website Marks the Occasion

Square Enix recently unveiled a dedicated website to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 9. The website teases a range of projects, including merchandise and potential collaborations, marking the milestone year. Among the merchandise listed are character figures, plush toys, vinyl records, CDs, storybooks, and other collectibles. Square Enix also hinted at additional announcements leading up to the anniversary, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what’s to come.

Final Fantasy 9 originally launched on July 7, 2000, for the PlayStation, selling over 8.9 million copies globally. The game received a re-release in December 2012 as part of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box in Japan. Later, a remastered version became available on iOS and Android devices in February 2016, followed by a PC release the same year. It debuted on PlayStation 4 in September 2017 and eventually landed on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows 10 in February 2019.

Could a Remake Be on the Horizon?

Speculation surrounding a potential Final Fantasy 9 remake intensified upon the unveiling of the anniversary website. Given the success of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, it seems plausible that Final Fantasy 9 could follow suit. In a 2019 poll conducted by Japan’s national broadcaster NHK, Final Fantasy 9 ranked fourth among the best Final Fantasy games, underscoring its enduring popularity. While the anniversary website didn’t explicitly confirm or detail a remake, the game’s legacy ensures it remains a strong candidate for such a project.

The Forgotten Anime Project

Another notable mention is Final Fantasy IX: The Black Mages’ Legacy, an anime series initially announced in 2021. Set a decade after the events of the original game, the series was slated to focus on the six children of Vivi, the beloved Black Mage. Square Enix partnered with Paris-based Cyber Group Studios to produce and distribute the series. However, Cyber Group Studios filed for bankruptcy by the end of October 2024 and entered judicial recovery proceedings. Despite this setback, two interested parties—United Smile and Newen Studios—have expressed intentions to acquire the studio’s assets and continue the production of the Final Fantasy IX anime.

Stay tuned for further developments as Square Enix celebrates this iconic title throughout its 25th anniversary year.